Causes

Not all child abuse is deliberate or intended. Several factors may combine to cause a person to abuse a child such as:

Stress (including the stress of caring for children, or the stress of caring for a child with a disability, special needs, or difficult behaviors)

Lack of nurturing qualities necessary for caring for a child

Difficulty controlling anger

Personal history of being abused

Isolation from the family or community

Physical or mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety

Alcohol or drug abuse

Personal problems such as marital conflict, unemployment, or financial difficulties

Many forms of child abuse arise from ignorance, isolation, or benign neglect. Abuse also tends to be intergenerational – those who were abused as children are more likely to repeat the act when they become parents or caretakers.